Researchers propose solar-covered highways could generate over 60 percent of the world’s energy needs, significantly reducing carbon emissions and traffic fatalities, according to a new study
A recent study conducted by an international research team has revealed that covering the world’s highways with solar panels could produce 17,578 TWh annually, meeting more than 60 percent of global electricity consumption as recorded in 2023. This groundbreaking research suggests that such a vast network of solar roofs could not only supply a significant portion of the world’s energy needs but also help reduce carbon emissions and improve road safety.
Published in the journal Earth’s Future, the study titled “Roofing Highways With Solar Panels Substantially Reduces Carbon Emissions and Traffic Losses” was conducted by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Geosciences, and Columbia University. The research explores the feasibility of installing polycrystalline solar panels, each with a capacity of 250 W, above the world's 3.2 million kilometres of highways.
The findings indicate that if implemented, this solar highway network could generate more than four times the annual energy output of the United States. In addition, it could offset 28.78 percent of current global CO2 emissions and decrease global traffic fatalities by 10.8 percent.
Ling Yao, a remote sensing scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the study’s lead author, expressed surprise at the potential impact of the findings. “I didn’t realise that highways alone could support the deployment of such large photovoltaic installations, generating more than half of the world’s electricity demand and greatly easing the pressure to reduce global carbon emissions,” Yao remarked.
The study highlights regions such as eastern China, Western Europe, and the U.S. East Coast as particularly suitable for the deployment of these solar panels. However, the researchers acknowledge that challenges related to the setup and maintenance costs could be significant. Yao emphasised the importance of pilot programmes to test the practicality of solar-covered highways before widespread implementation.
The research team’s innovative approach to harnessing solar energy represents a promising solution to the global energy crisis. If adopted, this strategy could not only contribute to meeting global energy demands but also play a crucial role in the fight against climate change by significantly reducing carbon emissions. The potential to simultaneously improve road safety further underscores the wide-ranging benefits of this concept.